Many people wonder if the famous astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and the legendary boxer Mike Tyson are related. They share the same last name, but is there any family connection between them? The answer is no. Neil and Mike are not related by blood or marriage. They just happen to have a common surname that is derived from a medieval personal name of Old French origin.
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Who is Neil deGrasse Tyson?
Neil deGrasse Tyson is an American astrophysicist, author, and science communicator. He is the director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, where he also founded the Department of Astrophysics. He is known for his popular books, podcasts, and TV shows on various topics of science, especially astronomy and cosmology. He has received many awards and honors for his contributions to science education and public outreach, including the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal and the Public Welfare Medal from the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.
Who is Mike Tyson?
Mike Tyson is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 2005. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight fighters of all time. He became the youngest boxer to win a heavyweight title at the age of 20. He was known for his ferocious and intimidating style of fighting, as well as his controversial behavior inside and outside the ring. He holds the record for the most consecutive title defenses in heavyweight history, with nine. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
Why do they have the same last name?
The surname Tyson is derived from a medieval personal name of Old French origin, Tison or Tesson, which means \”firebrand\” or \”spark\”. It was probably a nickname for someone with a fiery temper or a bright personality. The name was brought to England by the Normans after the conquest of 1066, and later spread to other parts of Britain and Ireland. The name was also adopted by some Jewish families as an anglicized form of the Hebrew name Tzvi, which means \”gazelle\” or \”deer\”.
According to Ancestry.com, there are about 50,000 people with the surname Tyson in the United States today, and about 10,000 in England and Wales. The name is most common in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Georgia in the U.S., and in Lancashire, Yorkshire, and London in England.
Conclusion
Neil deGrasse Tyson and Mike Tyson are not related. They just share a common surname that has multiple origins and meanings. They are both famous and successful in their respective fields of science and sports, but they have no family ties or connection. However, they are both New Yorkers who were born and raised in different boroughs of the city. Neil deGrasse Tyson has expressed his admiration for Mike Tyson’s achievements and his interest in meeting him someday. Maybe they will find out that they have more in common than their last name..
